As the race to the White House intensifies and America eagerly awaits its next leader, several Republican candidates have notably hinted that they would pardon the current top frontrunner if they win the election.
Forgiveness for Past Crimes
According to the Department of Justice, the presidential pardon power, as set in the Constitution, is an act of forgiveness usually given when an individual acknowledges their crime and demonstrates good behavior over a period following their conviction or sentence completion.
The U.S. Constitution grants the president of the United States the authority to issue a pardon for federal offenses.
GOP Rivals Hint at Trump Pardon
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently shared his views on whether he would pardon Trump, who is currently leading in the presidential race to the White House and is facing multiple charges in four criminal trials.
For America’s Best Interest
Governor DeSantis, in a notable declaration on Friday in Iowa, hinted that he might pardon the former president if elected, should it serve America’s greater interest. “I think we’ve got to move on as a country and, you know, like Ford did to Nixon, because the divisions are just not in the country’s interest,” he said, referring to Gerald Ford’s 1974 pardon of Richard Nixon.
DeSantis Confirms Pardon Stance
During a post-campaign event exchange with reporters in Iowa, DeSantis, when questioned about pardoning Trump, said he had “already said that long ago.” Upon further questioning about a specific pardon for Trump, DeSantis reaffirmed, “Yeah, I said that months ago.”
Later, when NBC News sought confirmation on whether DeSantis meant he would pardon a convicted Trump if elected, his campaign spokesperson confirmed with a “Correct.”
Continued Caution
Ever since his campaign kickoff in May, DeSantis has been cautious about the topic of pardoning Trump should he win the presidency.
He recently appeared to agree that clemency could be in the nation’s best interest.
No Prison for “80-Year-Old” Ex-President
In a late July interview with former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, DeSantis stated, “Well, what I’ve said is very simple. I’m going to do what’s right for the country. I don’t think it would be good for the country to have an almost 80-year-old former president go to prison.”
Haley Chimes in
Echoing a similar sentiment, Nikki Haley too has conveyed her willingness to offer clemency to the ex-president, deeming it beneficial for the country’s “interest.”
Moving On
Earlier in New Hampshire, Ms. Haley stressed the importance of national well-being, saying, “A leader needs to think about what’s in the best interest of the country. What’s in the best interest of the country is not to have an 80-year-old man sitting in jail that continues to divide our country. What’s in the best interest of our country is to pardon him so that we can move on as a country and no longer talk about him.”
National Good Over Guilt
Haley, now Trump’s nearest rival in the Granite State, has expressed support for a pardon throughout her 2024 campaign. In a June radio interview, she remarked, “When you look at a pardon, the issue is less about guilt and more about what’s good for the country.”
DOJ Critique Post-Indictment
In line with other candidates’ inclination to pardon, Vivek Ramaswamy took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize the Department of Justice after Trump’s indictment over classified documents.
Pardon Promise for Trump
The presidential candidate and biotech entrepreneur wrote in June 2023, “It would be much easier for me to win this election if Trump weren’t in the race, but I stand for principles over politics. I commit to pardon Trump promptly on January 20, 2025 and to restore the rule of law in our country.”
Alleged Judicial Bias
Conservative commentator Larry Elder, who dropped out of the race on October 26, also confirmed his intention to pardon Trump, having previously criticized a perceived double standard in the criminal justice system between Democrats and Republicans.
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